Liberty Football Coach Tells Police His Car Has Been Vandalized Police

November 23, 1987|The Morning Call

Liberty High School football coach Robert Hepler told Bethlehempolice his car was vandalized overnight Saturday while parked in front of his 2170 Pine St. home.

Vandals broke a car window and spray painted an obscenity on the car, but Hepler told a reporter he could not link the incident to recent controversy involving the football team.

Twenty-two football players and some cheerleaders skipped school on Nov. 13 and ate breakfast at Elby's Restaurant in Bethlehem Township. Some rowdiness ensued and was reported to school authorities, resulting in Hepler benching those involved for that night's rivalry match against Freedom.

Hepler's decision has been the subject of much discussion locally. He said he received about 75 phone calls and many more letters with support "far outweighing" criticism.

Hepler said the incident is over and wishes the publicity would end. "They are good human beings who made a mistake," he said last night of the students who participated in the breakfast.